Jackson was born and raised in South Jamaica, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. His mother Sabrina, a drug dealer, died in a fire when he was 8. Since his father had already abandoned the family, young Curtis was sent to live with his grandparents. Growing up during the crack epidemic of the 80s and 90s, Jackson dealt drugs when he wasn't "killing time" at school or boxing at a local gym. His grandparents assumed he was at after-school programs when he was out selling crack. In tenth grade, Jackson was caught with guns and drug money passing through the metal detectors at Andrew Jackson High School in Queens. In 1994, Jackson was arrested again for selling vials of cocaine to an undercover officer, and three weeks later he was arrested yet-again after police found heroin, crack cocaine, and a starter pistol in his home. Jackson was sentenced to 3 to 9 years in prison, but opted to join a 6 month boot camp program and get his GED. Around this time, Jackson began going by "50 Cent," inspired by deceased Brooklyn stick-up man Kelvin "50 Cent" Martin.
After leaving drug dealing to pursue a rap career, he released his debut album Guess Who's Back Again in 2002. He was discovered by Eminem and Dr. Dre and then signed to Interscope Records. He has since released Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003), The Massacre (2006), Curtis (2007) and Before I Self Destruct (2009).
50 Cent has engaged in feuds with other rappers including Jay-Z, Ja Rule, The Game, Cam'ron, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross. He has also pursued an acting career, appearing in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2005, the Iraq War film Home of the Brave in 2006, and Righteous Kill in 2008. 50 Cent is one of the richest hip-hop performers, having a net worth estimated at US $440 million in 2008.
Before 50 Cent ever inked a major deal, he built up a substantial fan base in New York through underground mixtapes. 50 Cent met up with Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC and was signed to his label to write all of Jay’s music. After he’d left JMJ, he signed to Columbia Records in 1996. On this label, he released Power of the Dollar, and the singles How to Rob and Ghetto Qua Ran. Columbia Records released him from the label after being shot on May 24th, 2000.
Around this time, Eminem had heard one of 50 Cent’s demo tapes and expressed a huge interest in him on MTV, as did Dr. Dre. Shortly after this, 50 Cent officially signed to Interscope Records. He was the first rapper to sign to the joint label owned by Dr. Dre and Eminem. The first song he released on this record was entitled Wanksta and was featured on the 8 Mile soundtrack.
In its first week of release, his debut ”Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” sold 872,000 units - easily reaching Gold status. Within the second week it went Platinum (1 mil) and on April 12th, 2004 the RIAA certified it six times Platinum.
In 2005 he followed the success of his album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ with a new release - The Massacre (originally called St. Valentines Day Massacre until the release date was pushed back). The first single released off this, Disco Inferno, was a huge hit - he followed this hit up by the release of Candy Shop and then again with Just a Lil Bit.
In 2003 Interscope Records allowed 50 Cent to have his own label - G-Unit Records. He first signed Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck as the established members of G-Unit Records. In 2004, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent had signed The Game under a joint venture.
You Already Know
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh! Uh! Uh! Uh! Uh!
You already know, my mind is on my dough
A millionaire that won't spend a dollar on a ho
I'm still in here tryin to get a model out the do'
High blowin bottle after bottle of that dro
Slidin on the road, groupie in my vehicle that I don't even know
From the Benz to the lobby from the lobby to the do'
If you ain't with the program ma you gotta go
I move like it's Po' Po' behind me, cocoa inside me, so cold and grimey
Fo' Fo' beside me, hoes know to find me
Wherever there's money, yeah I'm the shit honey (WOO!!!)
Hood nigga with the rubberband grip money
If I go broke I make you and your man strip dummy
Yeah nigga, you don't want it with them their bigger
Cross us, your on somethin we bare niggas
Yeah nigga hair trigga, teflon, chest gone, G's up
Freeze up and you'll end up in your lawn
It's the protege of 50, inspired by Biggie
Burns more than Ziggy, them lil' niggas dig me
I been stressed out lately, so I'm smokin more than ever
Dead smack in the hood good pokin out my leather
I'm a Good Fella, in a G-Unit hood sweater
If your bitch give me a sign I'm a get her
You already know, my mind is on my dough
A millionaire that won't spend a dollar on a ho
I'm still in here tryin to get a model out the do'
High blowin bottle after bottle of that dro
Slidin on the road, groupie in my vehicle that I don't even know
And If I wasn't Banks shorty probably wouldn't roll
From the Benz to the lobby from the lobby to the do'
If you ain't with the program ma you gotta go
'Cause were always focused we move around with the toasters
Push the rock to the smokers, warnin do not approach us
We in the club with the pokers steppin in Gucci Loafers
Stuntin in Testerossas, stylin in front of vultures
Ma quickly to call us, baddest bitches they know us
After the show they blow us, and do all type of shit to us
Now I can speak for me 'cause me everywhere I be
Niggas know I'm a G, got it locked got the keys
We move from bundles to D sippin on Hennessy
Buck rollin the trees, Banks countin the cheese
We get the paper then breeze, nigga we overseas
You stuck in the hood, aw that ain't good
Different town, different tour, different telly, different whore
Triple X, wet sex, who's next, latex
Condom, condo, I'm tight my money long though
You lookin for a drink bitch I ain't what you lookin for
You already know, my mind is on my dough
A millionaire that won't spend a dollar on a ho
I'm still in here tryin to get a model out the do'
High blowin bottle after bottle of that dro
Slidin on the road, groupie in my vehicle that I don't even know
And If I wasn't Banks shorty probably wouldn't roll
From the Benz to the lobby from the lobby to the do'
If you ain't with the program ma you gotta go
I'm out on bond but the forty still on me
Bouncin 'round like Lil' Jon thinkin 'bout my dead homies
Watch I hit, need a lick, ain't 'gon get me a brick
I keep on losin shootin dice and I'm sick of this shit
Clientele still poppin so the junkies keep comin
And my neighbors is watchin but we still gettin money
On this block till the sun drop I don't have a home
I will not stop, sellin rocks, thug till I'm gone
Got a couple old schools and some iced out jewels
Some G-Unit shoes, body full of tatooes
'Bout to stomp me a bitch, put the pump to his lips
Tell him talk that shit, now y'all wanna trip
I keep it dirty on the East Coast dirty on the West
Just a dirty lil' nigga with a Glock and a vest
Banks tell me you don't like 'em and you know what I'm a do nigga
You already know, my mind is on my dough
A millionaire that won't spend a dollar on a ho
I'm still in here tryin to get a model out the do'
High blowin bottle after bottle of that dro
Slidin on the road, groupie in my vehicle that I don't even know
And If I wasn't Banks shorty probably wouldn't roll
From the Benz to the lobby from the lobby to the do'
If you ain't with the program ma you gotta go
In the song "You Already Know," 50 Cent raps about his focus on making money and achieving success in his career. He raps about his desire for models rather than spending money on women he deems as hoes. The lyrics mention his indulgence in drugs and alcohol while traveling, with groupies waiting for him in his car. 50 Cent also talks about carrying firearms with him for protection, and his willingness to resort to violence if needed. He also mentions his commitment to his G-Unit family and the unity that comes with that bond. He concludes the song with a defiant attitude towards those who doubt him, insisting that he will continue to be successful and achieve his goals.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was produced by Dre & Vidal, who wrote and produced a number of hits for artists over the years, including Alicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name." Another interesting fact is that the song features fellow G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Young Buck. The song was included on 50 Cent's 2005 album "The Massacre." The album was a commercial success, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. The song charted in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Line by Line Meaning
You already know, my mind is on my dough
I am focused on making money and becoming wealthy
A millionaire that won't spend a dollar on a hoe
I am a millionaire who does not waste money on women
I'm still in here tryin' to get a model out the do'
I am always on the lookout for beautiful women to spend time with
High blowin' bottle after bottle of that dro
I prefer to drink expensive bottles of alcohol
Slidin' on the road, groupie in my vehicle that I don't even know
I am travelling in my car with a girl who is a stranger
And If I wasn't Banks shorty probably wouldn't roll
If my friend Banks wasn't with me, this girl probably wouldn't be hanging around me
From the Benz to the lobby from the lobby to the do'
I am always moving, from fancy cars to luxurious hotels
If you ain't with the program ma you gotta go
If you are not willing to go along with my lifestyle, I do not want you around
I move like it's Po' Po' behind me, cocoa inside me
I am always on guard, ready to react if the police come after me
So cold and grimey
I am tough and ruthless
Fo' Fo' beside me, hoes know to find me
I always carry my gun with me and women are attracted to me
Wherever there's money, yeah, I'm the shit, honey
I am always surrounded by wealth and I am successful at what I do
Hood nigga with the rubber band grip money
I grew up in a tough neighborhood and learned to hold onto my money tightly
If I go broke I make you and your man strip dummy
Even if I lose all my money, I still have the power to take away everything from those who cross me
Yeah nigga, you don't want it with them their bigger
You don't want to mess with me or my crew, as we are powerful and dangerous
Cross us, your on somethin' we bare niggaz
If you choose to go against us, we are willing to fight and potentially harm you
It's the protege of 50, inspired by Biggie
I am a protege of 50 Cent and am inspired by the late Biggie Smalls
Burns more than Ziggy, them lil' niggaz dig me
I am very popular among younger people
I been stressed out lately, so I'm smokin' more than ever
I have been dealing with a lot of stress and am smoking more to deal with it
Dead smack in the hood good pokin' out my leather
I am in the middle of the neighborhood looking good in my leather outfit
I'm a Good Fella, in a G-Unit hood sweater
I am a good person, but I also represent G-Unit
If your bitch give me a sign I'm a get her
If a woman shows interest in me, I am likely to pursue her
'Cause were always focused we move around with the toasters
We are always focused on our goals and carry guns for protection
Push the rock to the smokers, warnin' do not approach us
We sell drugs to the users and are not to be messed with
We in the club with the pokers, steppin' in Gucci Loafers
We go to fancy clubs wearing fashionable shoes
Stuntin' in Testerossas, stylin' in front of vultures
We show off our expensive cars and clothes for those who want to take advantage of us
Ma quickly to call us, baddest bitches they know us
Women are quick to call us and the most attractive women know who we are
After the show they blow us and do all types of shit to us
After performances, women are willing to do anything to be with us
Now I can speak for me 'cause me everywhere I be
I can only speak for myself and wherever I go, I am popular
Niggaz know I'm a G, got it locked got the keys
People know that I am a gangster and I am in control
We move from bundles to D sippin' on Hennessy
We move from selling drugs to drinking expensive Hennessy
Buck rollin' the trees, Banks countin' the cheese
Buck is rolling marijuana and Banks is counting money
We get the paper then breeze, nigga we overseas
We make money and then leave the country for a while
You stuck in the hood, aw, that ain't good
If you are still stuck in the neighborhood, that is not good for you
Different town, different tour, different telly, different whore
We go to different cities on tour and stay in different hotels with different women each time
Triple X, wet sex, who's next, latex
We have wild sex with multiple partners, using condoms for protection
Condom, condo, I'm tight my money long though
I am careful about using protection during sex, but I have a lot of money
You lookin' for a drink bitch I ain't what you lookin' for
If a woman is looking for a man to buy her drinks, I am not the right person for her
I'm out on bond but the forty still on me
I am out on bail, but I still carry a gun for protection
Bouncin' 'round like Lil' Jon thinkin' 'bout my dead homies
I am feeling emotional while reflecting on the memory of my deceased friends
Watch I hit, need a lick, ain't 'gon get me a brick
I am planning to commit a crime to get some quick cash, but I won't do anything too serious
I keep on losin shootin' dice and I'm sick of this shit
I am frustrated by my losses while gambling
Clientele still poppin' so the junkies keep comin'
I still have customers who want to buy drugs from me
And my neighbors is watchin' but we still gettin' money
Even though my neighbors are keeping an eye on us, we are still making money
On this block till the sun drop I don't have a home
I am always on this block and do not have a permanent residence
I do not stop, sellin' rocks, thug till I'm gone
I will always keep selling drugs and living the gangster lifestyle
Got a couple old schools and some iced out jewels
I have a few classic cars and expensive jewelry
Some G-Unit shoes probably full of tattoos
I wear G-Unit shoes that probably show my gang tattoos
'Bout to stomp me a bitch, put the pump to his lips
I am going to physically hurt someone by pointing my gun at them
Tell him talk that shit, now y'all wanna trip
I am daring someone to talk back to me and potentially retaliate
I keep it dirty on the East Coast dirty on the West
I maintain a tough reputation both on the East and West Coasts of the United States
Just a dirty lil' nigga with a glock and a vest
I am a small, but dangerous gang member with a gun and bulletproof vest
Banks tell me you don't like 'em and you know what I'm a do nigga
If Banks tells me that someone dislikes me, I will take action against them
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher Charles Lloyd, Curtis James Jackson, David Darnell Brown, Jonathan Williams, Peterson Denis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
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